AMNPS, MES30 and mailbox, still can't keep it lit

[Red October]

I've been trying to get the AMNPS working with my MES30. Living at 5000 ft I quickly realized that having it inside the MES won't work, so I went with the mailbox.
I light the pellets with a butane torch for 1 minute, let them burn for 10-20 minutes...and this is where my trouble starts. I don't think I can even get a good cherry going. Using the torch, I light it up well and good. Pellets are red hot, flame is going. In 10 minutes, flame is out and pellets are a little cherry red. If I close the door, they'll go out after 30 minutes or so. AMNPS sits on a bracket at the back of the mailbox, so it's lifted off the ground.
I've dried the pellets in the smoker as it was warming up...also, living at 5000 ft, we have 30% humidity anyway, so pellets should be pretty dry.

Assuming I can light the pellets successfully, they seem to be OK, except last time they went out about 4hrs in and had to be relit once.

How many holes should the mailbox have? I have some in the front door, and a lot of them on the bottom below where amnps sits. What if I just leave the mailbox door opened (and slide the amnps to the back of the mailbox)?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[johnmeyer]

It looks like you're doing everything right: plenty of holes; holes on the inlet side (the door); elevated AMNPS on standoffs; plenty of burn time before starting; pre-heating the chips.

I only have two ideas, neither of which is likely to be the magic bullet, but they might help.

1. Make sure you are using Todd's pellets. Other pellets may not burn as well.

2. Try using a heat gun instead of the butane torch. Here is my video on how I do it:



I did this video before I built my version of the mailbox mod. I never put the AMNPS into the MES anymore, but instead always use the mod. Here is the post where I described my external smoking mod:

Popcorn Can "Mailbox Mod"

 

[GaryHibbert]

At your elevation you might want to use one of Todd's tube pellet smokers. It should work a lot better for you.
Gary

 

[cmayna]

You might consider nuking the pellets before torching them. I also can't tell by the pics but I'd also put some holes near the top of the door.

 

[chopsaw]

[QUOTE="cmayna, post: I also can't tell by the pics but I'd also put some holes near the top of the door.[/QUOTE]

I use a tube . My thoughts ,, Hole in the top of the door . From my own , and what I see from others that have a hole in the top ,, the top of the door is " clean " the bottom of the door shows color . Tells me that the draft from the top hole pushes the smoke to where you want it to go , and adds enough air to fuel the burn .

 

[gmc2003]

I believe Todd recommends the tube for higher elevations.

Chris

 

[Red October]

Ok, I'll try the tube then. I'm currently using Todd's pellets, microwaved them this morning for 2 minutes.

 

[daveomak]

Pre dry, the pellets, at 275 in your smoker.. Elevate the AMNPS for good air flow... 3 holes in the door... upper hole STOPS the recirculation of used smoke, which is low in oxygen....
..

 

[dr k]

If you have holes in the door, then plug all the bottom mailbox mounting holes so all air flows over and below the pellets.

 

[dr k]

I used fridge magnets to plug the bottom holes except the two pencil diameter holes closest to the door to run tests before making holes. These two holes and the air coming in at the door hinge is plenty of high pressure to completely burn pellets to white ash. The magnets will curl and fail over time so I permanently sealed the holes.

 

[daveomak]

Kurt, morning... Your situation is a bit different... 500' elevation in Peoria is a bit different than 5,000' elevation the OP lives at... I seriously doubt 2 pencil sized holes will satisfy his situation....

 

[dr k]

Kurt, morning... Your situation is a bit different... 500' elevation in Peoria is a bit different than 5,000' elevation the OP lives at... I seriously doubt 2 pencil sized holes will satisfy his situation....

Yes his situation with elevation is much different than mine. I would plug the bottom holes in his case and only use the ones in the door he made. I see what looks like holes at the bottom back of his mailbox below the three inch hole. Those holes would be the path of least resistance and air will go straight up to the three inch hole without passing the pellets.

 

[daveomak]

Kurt is right on.... Plug all the other holes.. they are defeating the purpose for smooth air flow through the AMNPS.... they are in the incorrect place....

 

[daveomak]

Well ????? How's it going ???

 

[Red October]

Reading the replies the logic to close off bottom holes makes sense.
I haven't had a chance to test the new setup yet. On the day the pic was taken I was smoking brisket for the first time. The AMNPS stayed lit for about 5hrs, it made it through turn 1 of the maze but died shortly after.
I've added a hole at the top of the door, and will close all other holes. Now I need to find something to smoke this weekend that takes more than an hour...

 

[daveomak]

Be sure the maze is full to the top at the corners... It seems, on occasion, to lose heat when rounding the bend.. More pellets in the bend seems to help...

 

[Red October]

Update:
1. Closed the holes in the bottom at the back of the mailbox. Left a couple of holes at the front of the mailbox at the bottom, and just holes in the door.
2. Additionally raised the maze on 4 2" screws

Ambient temp was in 60s (as opposed to 40s at previous smokes), followed the same procedure with butane torch, lit the pellets (still using Todd's, although opened a new bag), 10 minutes they went into the mailbox and boom, smoke for 4 hours until beef roast was done.
I got about 3hrs out of first row and it turned the corner.
Looks like everything worked out well. I'll smoke something else big next weekend and hopefully repeat the successful result. Thanks for yalls help!

 

[johnmeyer]

2. Additionally raised the maze on 4 2" screws.

From your pictures and description, I thought you had already done that. Otherwise I would have suggested getting it up off the floor of the mailbox.

 

[Red October]

It was previously raised on a U-shaped bracket, about 1" tall. I got rid of it completely in favor of legs.

 

[cmayna]

And how is it now working?